The largest volcano in the world. Volcanoes of the world: active and extinct volcanoes

Earth is a hot planet. Beneath the thin crust is a core of hot magma. In some places, through cracks in the earth's crust, the heat of the earth's core breaks out, bringing lava, gases and ash to the surface. Over time, at the sites of such emissions, huge masses of ejected matter accumulate and special geological forms - volcanoes - are formed.

The largest volcanoes are those that formed particularly large cones, although not necessarily the tallest, and therefore had a particularly large crater or were active for a very long time. Those that continue to act are dangerous for humans. Fortunately, the largest terrestrial volcano, Tamu Massif, discovered in 2013, has long been extinct, otherwise its eruption would have been disastrous for all life on our planet.

Volcanoes are considered active if they are known to have erupted within the last 10 thousand years or have shown signs of volcanic activity, such as emissions of gases and water vapor. The presence of volcanic activity means that a given volcano may begin to erupt again, and therefore requires careful monitoring by volcanologists. There are currently 627 such volcanoes. 4 out of 5 largest volcanoes planets are located in the area Pacific Ocean(these are parts of the “Ring of Fire” of Pacific volcanoes and seismic zones), and 1 in Africa.

It is located in the central part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, has a volume of 480 cubic kilometers and is the largest active volcano in Kamchatka, as well as the second highest ( 3613 m above sea level), after Klyuchevskaya Sopka. The top of the Ichinskaya Sopka is covered with eternal glaciers.

This is the youngest among the largest active volcanoes, its age is estimated at 10-15 thousand years. Its cone has a complex structure: the base is of a shield type, on top of which is the cone of a younger stratovolcano. Last eruption was recorded in 1740, since then volcanic activity has been weak: small amounts of high-temperature water vapor and volcanic gases are released.

The Galapagos Islands, like the Hawaiian Islands, arose as a result volcanic activity. Most big volcano Sierra Negra (“black mountain”) 580 cc. kilometers is located on the island of Isabela. This is a shield volcano, tall 1,124 m above sea level, and its crater has a diameter 11 km.

The last eruption of Sierra Negra occurred in 2005. Then the volcano released such an amount of gases and ash that the volcanic cloud reached a height of 7 kilometers or more.

Volume – more 3,200 cu.m. kilometers. The second largest volcano on the island of Hawaii. His highest point – 4,205 m above sea level. But if you count from the foot, which is under water, then its height reaches 10,203 m, which makes Mauna Kea the most high mountain on the ground. (For comparison, Everest has a height of 4,150 m from its base to its summit). Unlike its neighbor Mauna Loa, it is a stratovolcano, and its viscous lava has formed steep slopes. The last eruption occurred 4,500 years ago, and since then the state of the volcano has been considered “normal” on the danger scale.

Among the aborigines, “White Mountain” (as the name is translated) was considered sacred. Only the highest leaders had the right to climb to its top. The natives collected fruits and hunted in the dense forests on the slopes of the mountain, and made tools and weapons from the volcanic basalt.

The altitude, dry climate and constant wind force make the summit of Mauna Kea one of the best areas on Earth for astronomical observations. Since 1964, 13 telescopes have been installed here. Observations are made at all frequencies - from visible light to radio waves, and Mauna Kea Astronomy Park is one of the largest in the world. However, protests against its location in a unique ecological zone and in a place sacred to indigenous people continue.

Cone volume – 4,800 cubic kilometers. This volcano erupted with thick and viscous lava, which led to the formation of an almost regular steep cone. This type is called a stratovolcano. highest mountain African continent ( 5,895 m above sea level), located in East Africa, between Kenya and northern Tanzania. In Swahili its name means " white mountain": the top of this gigantic two-headed cone, the only one in the equatorial zone of the Earth, is covered eternal ice. Many rivers originate in its glaciers, including the Nile, the greatest river in Africa. In recent decades, they have been melting faster and steadily decreasing.

Europeans discovered this volcano in 1848, since then no activity has been recorded, but Aboriginal legends speak of its eruption about 200 years ago. In 2003, it was discovered that there was molten lava beneath one of its two peaks, with its upper level rising just 400 meters from the surface. Gas emissions, landslides and rock shifts also occur.

The largest active volcano on Earth is located on the island of Hawaii. This volcano is of the shield type: wide, with sloping slopes. Such volcanoes are formed as a result of a long eruption of liquid, flowing lava. The volume of its cone is approximately 75,000 cubic kilometers, of which 84% are under water. Actually, the island itself appeared as a result of eruptions of this and its neighboring volcanoes.

In the Aboriginal language its name means "long mountain". Its mass is so enormous that the earth’s crust at its location bends inward for several kilometers.

Mauna Loa is one of the most active volcanoes. Its last eruption occurred in 1984, and since then it has gradually shown more signs of activity and is considered highly likely to erupt again in the foreseeable future.

There are more than 50 volcanoes in Ecuador, and only eight of them are active, that is, in a state of constant or periodic eruption. The largest of them, the Tungurahua volcano, is located several tens of kilometers from the capital of Ecuador, Quito, with a population of just over 2 million people. The height of this volcano is 5,016 km.

But Tungurahua - in the language of the indigenous Quechua Indians this means “Fiery Throat” - is not the most “aggressive” volcano on the planet. Another Latin American country is leading here, Chile, where the Calbuco volcano, located in the southeast of Lake Llanquihue and in the south of the country, is currently erupting. Chile is one of the five countries with the largest number of active volcanoes.

Volcanological experts point out that there are a great many factors accompanying the eruption of any volcano - the nature of the eruption itself, the proximity of the volcano to populated areas, the strength of the eruption, etc., so it is simply impossible to compile a list of the most dangerous. However, they agree on naming the five countries with the most active volcanoes on the planet, noting that due to the lack of monitoring and study of the history of many volcanoes, it is very difficult to determine which volcanoes are the most active. This is also facilitated by the fact that reports compiled by various organizations were sometimes incomplete and their conclusions did not coincide.

Chile. There are about 95 active volcanoes here. Currently, the most active are Villarica, in the south, whose most recent eruption occurred in March this year, and Copahue, located on the border with Argentina, which almost constantly spews columns of gas and, periodically, ash. Other Chilean volcanoes have also been active more recently: Puyehue (2011) and Chaitén (2008). According to Ami Donovan, a volcanologist at the University of Cambridge (UK), it is also important to mention the Lascar volcano in Atacama, in the north of the country, where a new volcanic process began in 2006.

Indonesia. It is believed that there are about 120 active volcanoes in this country. Mount Merapi, 400 km from the capital Jakarta, is one of the most active volcanoes, whose location allows you to observe it in close proximity. Volcano Sinabung, in northern Sumatra, erupted in early April this year. Tambora, a super-volcano, triggered the largest eruption on record in 1815, its ash plume reaching more than 30 km in height and the eruption affecting crops across much of Europe, causing famine and disease.

USA. It is estimated that there are 130 active volcanoes here, which are constantly monitored. Deciding whether or not to conduct expensive monitoring of a given volcano, Donovan says, is a difficult decision because eruptions are so rare. Scientists can observe a volcano that has not erupted for thousands of years, but failure to monitor and “awakening” the volcano is fraught with many unpredictable consequences, especially if it is located near settlements.

Hawaii is home to the Kilauea volcano, the most active on the island and one of the most active in the world as a whole, which erupted in 1993. The United States is also home to Mount Santa Helena, located in Washington County, whose famously devastating eruption in 1980 claimed 57 lives.

Japan. This is the hearth of the large number active volcanoes. According to Bill McGuire, emeritus professor of geophysics and climate disasters at University College London, there are about 66 of them, including the famous Fuji, which could erupt at any time. Sakurahima is another active colossus located in the south of Kuishu Island. Due to its danger, authorities warned the population of the need to evacuate. Another volcano, Ontake, the second highest in the country, is located in central region. It erupted in September 2014, causing more than 30 deaths and injuring dozens of Japanese.

Russia. Here, most active volcanoes are concentrated on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the easternmost corner of the vast country. They form part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is difficult to strictly determine the exact number of volcanoes located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, from several hundred to more than a thousand. It is typical for Kamchatka volcanoes big variety shapes and sizes, they were formed in different periods and are currently active to varying degrees. Most of them are dormant volcanoes that are not currently active, however, some volcanoes are active. Currently, there are about 29 active volcanoes in Kamchatka.

Volcanoes are not only a fascinating and dangerous sight. It was thanks to volcanic activity that life originated on planet Earth. The atmosphere and hydrosphere appeared due to emissions huge amount carbon dioxide and water vapor. Today, some fire-breathing mountains remain dormant, while others cause trouble and disturbance to humanity.

Volcano Vesuvius. Italy

It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Europe. It was he who destroyed several ancient Roman cities, including Pompeii, in August 1979. He wakes up approximately every 20 years. The last time was in 1944.

Volcano Yellowstone Caldera. USA

About a third of the territory of Yellowstone National Park is occupied by an active volcano. Inside, a bubble of magma constantly heats up thermal springs, which manifests itself in the formation of geysers and mud pots.

Volcano Krakatoa. Indonesia

It last erupted in 1883, resulting in the destruction of the island on which the volcano is located. The process lasted from May until the end of August. 36 thousand people and 259 settlements became victims of ash and tsunami. Today, a 1.5 km area around the island is closed to the public.

Volcano Mauna Loa. Hawaii

It is the second largest of the megavolcanoes, the top of which is covered with snow from January to March. Sometimes it wakes up and pours out lava flows.

Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzania, Africa

The volcano consists of 3 extinct peaks. However, scientists discovered that only 400 m below the crater of the mountain there is hot lava. In addition, the centuries-old ice cap that covered the peak has almost melted.




Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Iceland

Not long ago, a volcano paralyzed the work of several European airports. The eruption was rated 4 on the VEI scale. Some researchers believe that the awakening of Eyjafjallajokull could be the trigger for the Katla eruption.

Volcano Cotopaxi. Ecuador

This is the most active volcano. After more than 150 years of silence, Cotopaxi came to life again in 2015. Fortunately, no one was hurt.




Volcano Merapi. Java Island

One of the most active volcanoes erupts at least twice a year, with major eruptions occurring every seven years. Local residents have to evacuate. The top of Merapi smokes non-stop.




Volcano Popocatepetl. Mexico

The most powerful eruption occurred in 2000. It was preceded by 15 years of increased activity fire mountain. In March 2016, Popocatepetl raised a column of steam, gas and ash to a height of 2 km. The cities of Mexico City and Puebla are at risk.

Vesuvius is an amazing volcano. Firstly, the leader in popularity, breaking all records of recognition, secondly, a long-liver (he declared himself even before ancient times and the famous Pompeii), thirdly, perhaps, one of the prolific volcanic eruptions and, fourth, the most unpredictable. None of the scientists even dare to guess when Vesuvius will once again begin to “be naughty.” Only strong eruptions during the entire period of his “professional activity” were recorded in the amount of 80, and we are tired of counting the mediocre and weak ones. At the same time, Vesuvius is clearly not planning to retire. At its top, tourists can safely bake eggs - the soil temperature is so high.

This is probably why the “anniversaries of pranks” of this world-famous volcano, which lives in sunny Italy near Naples, can be celebrated almost every month. What we, in fact, are doing, dedicating our TOP 10 most important dates to one of the dates of the Vesuvius eruption famous volcanoes peace.

Place 10. The most difficult to pronounce. I don’t know how big and powerful the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull is compared to Vesuvius, but it is reliably known that in 2010 it caused a lot of trouble for air carriers. Due to the wild amount volcanic ash and a couple of flights were canceled and airport operations in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Belfast Dublin, Stockholm and Oslo were suspended. But even this was not enough for the Icelandic volcano. He created incredible amount problems for many announcers, who probably trained long and hard to pronounce his name in one breath.


Place 9. The coldest. Surprisingly, but true: volcanoes are the most resilient creatures, found almost everywhere. It would seem that such a “hot little thing” cannot live at minus fifty, but no! Volcanoes also live peacefully at the South Pole and in Antarctica. The highest of the Antarctic volcanoes is Mount Sidley, “tall” at 4285 meters. By the way, it is also the most inaccessible volcano. People conquered it only in 1990.


Place 8. The most legendary. Two volcanoes are competing for the title of the most legendary. One of them is the Mexican Popocatepetl, who last went to work in 2007, and the other is the European Elbrus. According to legend, Popocatepetl arose from... strong love. The daughter of the Aztec ruler Iztaccihuatl fell in love with the simple warrior Popocatepetl. However, the pope was against this unequal alliance and sent the young man to war, after which he spread a rumor about his imminent death. The daughter, unable to withstand the blow, committed suicide, and when the alive and unharmed Popocatepetl found out about this, he decided that life without a sweetheart is not life. And he followed his beloved into another world. The gods, amazed by the power of the love of the young people, decided to turn them into rocks so that they would remain next to each other forever. Well, on the top of Elbrus, myths and legends alternately settled either genies or the famous bird Simurgh, or even left the chained Prometheus there.


Place 7. Most religious. Etna is a fertile volcano, like Vesuvius. The eruptions alone exceeded almost two hundred. Almost every 150 years, Etna wakes up from hunger and begins to eat nearby cities. However, people adore her not for her bloodthirstiness, but for her respect for believers and her healing gift. There are several known facts of miraculous healing of patients who visited Etna, and after in 1928 a stream of hot lava froze in reverence before a Catholic procession, the Sicilians made Etna one of the symbols of the island. This volcano is also famous for its blues festivals that take place during its sleep.


Place 6. The fastest. Volcanoes are usually unpredictable, but sometimes scientists manage to find out in advance about an impending eruption. However, as in the parable of the boy and the wolves, some residents of nearby towns do not believe such predictions. And in vain. So on November 13, 1985, the Colombian volcano Nevado del Ruiz completely destroyed the city of Armero, located 50 kilometers from the “hot thing” with a height of 5400 meters. Moreover, everything about the volcano took... only 10 minutes! The death toll exceeded 20 thousand people. But scientists warned...


Place 5. The most fabulous. Remember the fairy tale about the “Frog Princess”? To defeat Koshchei the Immortal, Ivan Tsarevich had to get a needle that was in an egg, an egg in a duck, a duck in a hare, a hare in a chest, and a chest in a tree. It is precisely according to the principle of “thing within a thing” that the Russian volcano Krenitsyn is built. He is "registered" on Kuril Islands and is considered the largest in area, as it is located in Lake Koltsevoye (diameter about 7 kilometers), which is located in another, more ancient, crater. So you can admire its beauty only from a helicopter. By the way, the volcano got its name in honor of the Russian navigator Pyotr Kuzmich Krenitsyn.


Place 4. The most influential. Indonesia is often called the land of volcanoes. It was here that the most influential of them was born - Krakatoa, who blew up the world on August 15, 1883. Its eruption caused a shock wave that went around 7 times Earth, and a giant tsunami that wiped out 295 cities and towns in Java and Sumatra. As a result of his activities, more than 36 thousand people died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. Volcanic dust from Krakatoa surrounded the planet in a cloud, turning sunrises and sunsets a royal purple. Many scientists believe that it was this eruption that affected the ecology of the Earth.


Place 3. The most famous of the new arrivals. By the way, today Vesuvius is far from the only popular volcano. It was pushed by the Russian Plosky Tolbachik, which began to erupt in November 2012. Since then, scientists from all over the world and simply curious tourists have flocked to it in droves. Also Kamchatka volcano gave the world new copper minerals - melanotallite, ponomarevite, piipit, fedotovite, kamchatkite, klyuchevskite, alumoklyuchevskite and, of course, tolbachite.


Place 2. The highest. Well, how can it be in the TOP 10 without the highest?! It is rightfully the South American active volcano with the name Llullaillaco, which is funny for Russians. Its absolute height is 6739 meters, relative height is almost 2.5 kilometers. It would seem that that's all. Ah, no! Llullaillaco is known for its perpetual ice cap, borderland state (located on the border of Chile and Argentina), dry neighbor (Atacama Desert) and archaeological finds. In 1999, the mummified bodies of three children, believed to have been sacrificed 500 years ago, were discovered at the top of the volcano.


Place 1. The most romantic. Don't go to a fortune teller here! Without words, it is clear that Mount Fuji will be recognized as the most romantic, sophisticated, attractive, gentle and charming. Countless haiku, drawings, paintings and photographs are dedicated to her. Scientists consider Fuji to be an active volcano, although weakly active (the last eruption was recorded in 1707-1708). By the way, among the countless drawings of this beauty, there is not a single one that depicts the eruption itself. Fuji's neighbors include not only a Shinto temple, a weather station and a post office, but also the gloomy Aokigahara suicide forest, located right at the foot of the volcano. But such proximity does not bother Fujiyama at all. The Japanese believe that the forest only adds a flair of mystery and mysticism to their favorite, attracting tourists from all countries. However, this does not prevent residents of the Land of the Rising Sun from placing warning signs with telephone numbers of psychologists throughout Aokigahara. Yes, just in case.

There is an excessive accumulation of very hot magma, which makes its way to the surface of the earth through holes in the earth's crust, that is, through craters. When this magma reaches the surface, the consequences are catastrophic.
We have compiled especially for your attention the ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world, which can erupt at any time and create devastation around in a matter of hours.

Ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world

10. Taal Volcano, Philippines

This cinder cone volcano is located on the island of Luzon, in Taal Lake. It is located just 31 kilometers from the city of Manila, which has a population of about 1.6 million people. Scientists believe that this volcano has erupted about 33 times. And it is reliably known that in 157 magma burned to the ground the population that lived near the active volcano. It is also worth considering that the volcano requires study due to the high danger to humans and the environment.

9. Ulawun Volcano, Papua New Guinea


Also, locals also call this volcano “Father”. Ulawun is a symmetrical volcano located on the island of New Britain. Its height reaches about 2334 meters, which is why it is one of not only the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, but also the highest.

Ulavun is an active volcano. Since the 1700s, 22 eruptions have been recorded. Locals Tiny explosions with a splash of lava and ash are regularly observed in the crater of the volcano.

8. Volcano Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic Congo


It is considered the most active volcano on the African continent. Nyiragongo Volcano is known for its lava lakes, which mainly appear in the crater. This volcano is an active threat to people living in its vicinity.

One of the last strong eruptions in 1977 led to the death of several hundred people. There could have been significantly more casualties if people had not evacuated in time. The lava erupted by the volcano destroyed almost all residential buildings located at the foot of Nyiragongo.

7. Volcano Merapi, Indonesia


Locals call this volcano “The Mountain of Fire.” It is also considered one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world. Scientists claim that the activity of this volcano previously continued for more than 10,000 years in a row.

About 1,300 people died during the last major eruption of Mount Merapi, which occurred in 1930. Since then, the government of Yogyakarta, which is located on the slope of the volcano, has developed a special plan for the evacuation of citizens.

6. Galeras Volcano, Colombia


This volcano is located in the young part of Colombia. Galeras has been active for about 1 million years. On its slope there is a city with 450,000 inhabitants called Pasto.

IN modern times active volcano became in 1978, but his activity was not significant then. Then, ten years later, a new eruption occurred. But the worst thing is that since 2000, Galeras began to erupt regularly, albeit with little force.

5. Sakurajima Volcano, Japan


This is a composite volcano located in Japan. Previously, Sakurajima was located on separate island. He has a very high level activity.

Every year, scientists record small eruptions from the crater of this volcano, during which ash is thrown into the atmosphere and scattered throughout the surrounding area. If a more serious eruption occurs, a large number of residents of the nearby city of Kagoshima will be in mortal danger.

4. Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico


The peak of this volcano is covered by a glacier. Popocatepetl is located just 35 miles from Mexico City. Also within the radius of a possible eruption are many people living in this area. Since 1519, Popocatepetl has erupted more than 20 times.

The last eruption occurred in 2000. Then it was possible to evacuate people in time and save thousands of lives that could have been claimed by one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

3. Yellowstone Caldera, USA


Tourists from all over the world feel the attraction of the bubbling springs in national park Yellowstone. The beauty of this park is breathtaking and intoxicating for visitors. However, underneath this beauty lies dangerous volcano, which will burn to destroy everything western part USA.

The Yellowstone caldera is truly enormous. People have never witnessed its eruption, but scientists have learned that the last eruption of this volcano occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. Experts suggest that the volume of lava “splashed out” on the surface during that period of time was 25 thousand times greater than the eruption of St. Helens in 1980.

2. Volcano Vesuvius, Italy


Probably the most famous volcano in the world It is located in the Campania region, Italy. The last eruption of Vesuvius occurred in 1944, but fortunately there were no serious consequences. About three million people live in close proximity to the volcano's slope. The houses of these people are located 5 kilometers from Vesuvius. Therefore, it is also considered the most densely populated volcanic region in the entire world.

Vesuvius is the only volcano on the European continent that was active in the last century. Its most famous eruption occurred in 79 AD, burying the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under lava.

1. Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii


Mauna Lao - the most dangerous volcano in the world and the biggest. The last time it erupted was in 1984. The lava caused serious damage to the surrounding area. However, there is very good news - the erupting lava of Mauna Lao is spreading very slowly throughout the surrounding area, which gives additional time for evacuation.

Mauna Laon also poses another devastating environmental threat in the form of landslides. Although this is a very rare process, it is really worth fearing.

 

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